Student ‘defines’ sweetness

A unique young woman who was full of ambition with a knack for knowing exactaly how to pester her mother and sisters just enough to let them know she loved them are just a couple of things family members said they’ll never forget about Amanda Tenorio.

Tenorio was the “definition of sweet” to her close friend and former college roommate Carey Romero.

The two Eastern New Mexico University students lived together an entire year and never once fought, Romero said.

And all the pictures Romero said has of Tenorio are ones where she’s smiling.

Romero said Tenorio was extremely focused on school and very dependable — as close as she could imagine to a saint.

“She was quiet, honest, had great morals. With her gorgeous long black hair she was just a little angel,” Romero said.

DeeAnn Orio, Tenorio’s aunt, will always cherish these two quotes “whatever happens happens for a reason,” and “don’t cry because it’s over smile because it happened,” because they were two of her nieces favorite.

She said Tenorio loved life to the fullest always writing poetry, listening to music or decorating something with flowers she’d stolen from her garden.

Tenorio was a criminal justice major who wanted to eventually go into forensic investigation, family members said. She was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a community service fraternity, which family members said was a hobby that fit her personality perfect because she was such a kind and loving person.

“Amanda always had a smile on her face and she got along with everyone unless anyone said something against her family. She would immediately go to their defense because her family meant the world to her,” Orio said.